Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 911: Employment Security Act of 1980; modifying conditional factors. Effective date.

SB 911 lowers unemployment tax rates for Oklahoma employers under specific conditions by decreasing the percentage rates applied to taxable wages. For example, the rate for employers in condition "a" drops from 42.5% to 41.25%, and similar reductions apply across other conditions. The bill updates the experience rate table that determines employer tax rates based on their claims history and removes outdated formulas for benefit wage ratio increases. It also raises the minimum balance required for the unemployment fund to ensure financial stability. These changes directly affect businesses paying unemployment taxes in Oklahoma.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesLowers employer unemployment tax rates (e.g., 42.5% to 41.25%) providing direct tax relief to businesses, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · House May 13, 2025

HB 1663: Revenue and taxation; ad valorem tax; delinquent tax; sale procedures; online procedures; effective date.

HB 1663 updates Oklahoma's procedures for selling property to recover unpaid property taxes. It allows counties to conduct tax sales online during the second week of June (instead of only in-person), requiring clear notice of sale details, including property descriptions, tax amounts due, and online auction links. The bill mandates that online sales follow the same rules as in-person sales, including requiring bids to meet at least two-thirds of the property's assessed value or the total unpaid taxes, whichever is lower. This directly affects property owners with delinquent taxes, county treasurers managing sales, and mortgagees who must receive notice of the sale.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUpdates tax sale procedures to improve collection efficiency, strengthening revenue collection for state budgets.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 947: Long-term care; updating statutory language related to ombudsmen and senior citizens. Emergency.

SB 947 updates Oklahoma's nursing facility fee structure and fund allocation rules to improve long-term care services for seniors. It revises how the Nursing Facilities Quality of Care Fee is calculated (based on 6% of total patient gross receipts divided by patient days) and designates specific uses for the resulting fund, including funding 15 ombudsmen positions and increasing monthly personal needs allowances for nursing home residents from $30 to $50. The bill ensures these programs - such as Medicaid services, nursing facility inspections, and senior support services - remain exempt from budget cuts. It directly affects nursing facilities (which pay the fee), seniors receiving Medicaid long-term care, and state agencies managing these programs. The bill was enacted without the Governor's signature on May 13, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates nursing facility fees to fund ombudsmen positions and increase resident allowances, strengthening long-term care services through dedicated budgeting.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates funds for 15 ombudsmen positions and increases nursing home resident allowances from $30 to $50, directly strengthening long-term care services for seniors.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 681: Ad valorem tax; requiring notice of valuation increase to include information on limitation of fair cash value. Effective date.

SB 681 amends Oklahoma's property tax notice requirements to ensure homeowners with homestead properties receive clear information about value limits. Specifically, it requires county assessors to include details on applying for a "limit on fair cash value" (a homestead property tax cap) in written notices when property valuations increase. This applies directly to Oklahoma homeowners whose primary residence qualifies as a homestead under state law. The bill does not change tax rates but improves transparency in the notification process for affected property owners.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires notices to include homestead tax cap application info, enabling homeowners to access existing property tax relief without changing rates.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requires tax notices with homestead cap info, helping homeowners avoid sudden tax increases and maintain housing affordability for primary residences.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · House May 12, 2025

HB 1278: State Department of Health; Barbara Weber Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Grant Program; agency; purpose; reports; Barbara Weber Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Grant Program Revolving Fund; fund nature; budgeting and expenditure of funds; effective date; emergency.

HB 1278 creates the Barbara Weber ALS Grant Program within Oklahoma's State Department of Health to provide funding for ALS research and support services for Oklahomans diagnosed with ALS or their caregivers. It establishes a renewable revolving fund in the state treasury, initially funded with $1 million from the General Revenue Fund, to sustain program operations without annual budget constraints. The program requires the State Department of Health to submit annual reports detailing grant recipients, amounts awarded, and fund usage to state legislative leaders. The law became effective July 1, 2025, after passing without the Governor's signature on May 12, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1M from General Revenue Fund to establish ALS grant program, creating a sustainable revolving fund for public health services without annual budget constraints.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 135: Aeronautics technology; modifying Oklahoma Aircraft Engine Testing Development Grant Program; expanding purpose of certain program; depositing certain monies in certain fund. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 135 modifies Oklahoma's Aircraft Engine Testing Development Grant Program to include rocket engine testing and expands its purpose to develop broader aerospace infrastructure. The bill creates a dedicated revolving fund (the "Oklahoma Aircraft and Rocket Engine Testing Development Grant Program Revolving Fund") and appropriates $20 million from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund one-time grants. Eligible applicants - private, public, or nonprofit entities within Oklahoma - must provide 40% matching funds, industry support documentation, and detailed project proposals. Grants require repayment if terms aren't met and mandate quarterly progress reports. The law became effective July 1, 2025, without gubernatorial signature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $20M from General Revenue Fund for aerospace development grants, directly funding a state program through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds aerospace engine testing development via $20M grants, directly advancing technology infrastructure in a specific tech sector.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 586: Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act; modifying definition to establish certain relationship between employer and leased or contracted employee. Effective date.

This bill modifies the definition of "basic industry" for Oklahoma's Quality Jobs Program, specifically addressing the relationship between employers and leased or contracted employees. It amends Section 3603 of the Oklahoma Statutes to clarify how certain leased or contracted workers are counted toward program eligibility. The change affects businesses seeking tax incentives under the program by establishing clearer criteria for including leased or contracted employees in job-count calculations. The bill was enacted without the Governor's signature on May 12, 2025. (Note: The provided bill text excerpt focuses on industry classifications but does not explicitly show the modified employee relationship definition; the summary reflects the bill's stated purpose based on its title and context.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies eligibility for Oklahoma's tax incentive program, making it easier for businesses to qualify for job-count-based tax relief, thus strengthening the program's fiscal management purpose.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 7, 2025

SB 582: State fiscal affairs; modifying fiscal years requiring estimated revenue collections. Effective date.

SB 582 requires Oklahoma state agencies collecting revenue into the General or Special Revenue Funds to provide the Office of Management and Enterprise Services with detailed, itemized forecasts of expected collections for the current year and the next two fiscal years. It also mandates the Oklahoma Tax Commission to submit comprehensive economic reports - analyzing recent performance and forecasting national/state trends - to the Director of Management and Enterprise Services at least two weeks before State Board of Equalization meetings, including assessments of past forecast accuracy. These reports and revenue estimates must be shared simultaneously with key legislative committees. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, and became law without the Governor's signature on May 7, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires detailed revenue forecasts and economic reports to improve fiscal planning transparency and accountability, strengthening budget management processes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · House May 7, 2025

HB 1438: Waters and water rights; Rural Economic Action Plan grant program; monetary cap; effective date.

HB 1438 sets a monetary cap of $150,000 to $350,000 per entity per year for grants under Oklahoma's Rural Economic Action Plan program, which funds water quality projects like sewer line repairs, water treatment, and infrastructure improvements. The bill prioritizes small cities (under 1,750 population) and those with weaker fiscal capacity, while restricting eligibility to cities/towns under 7,000 population (based on census data) and unincorporated areas under 7,000. It requires the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to distribute all funds without administrative retention, establish separate accounts for specific economic development districts, and eliminate matching fund requirements for recipients.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates capped grants for water infrastructure projects, prioritizing small communities while controlling state spending within fiscal limits.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds water quality projects (sewer repairs, treatment) via grants, directly advancing environmental protection for water resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 7, 2025

SB 249: Oklahoma Tourism Development Act; increasing cumulative inducement per year. Effective date.

This bill amends the Oklahoma Tourism Development Act to increase the cumulative inducement amount that can be provided annually for tourism promotion. It directly affects state agencies responsible for developing and marketing Oklahoma as a travel destination. The key provision allows for a higher annual budget allocation to incentivize tourism growth through financial incentives. The bill became law on May 7, 2025, without requiring the Governor's signature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state budget allocation for tourism promotion, directly funding government programs and economic development initiatives.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes